From the Student Council Representatives

At the 2016 APA Convention in Denver, Colorado, we co-sponsored a workshop with Division 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology), Division 40 (Clinical Neuropsychology), Division 17 (Counseling Psychology), and Division 54 (Pediatric Psychology) to help prepare students for specialty-track predoctoral internships. We also sponsored a training directors meet and greet, which provided students with an opportunity to network with directors and professors of health psychology focused training programs. Thank you again to everyone who participated in these events! We are already preparing for next year’s convention programming. Stay tuned for more information later this year on what to expect in Washington D.C. next summer.

We recently welcomed a new cohort of SfHP Campus Representatives. This is the 3rd year of our Campus Representative Program, which is aimed at increasing the inclusion, engagement, and representation of graduate students from U.S. graduate psychology programs with a focus in health psychology. Currently, 40 enthusiastic students are representing their programs all over the country. Check out the new SfHP website to see this year’s complete list of campus representatives. Feel free to contact your school’s representative to find out more information about SfHP events at your school. If you do not see your school represented and are interested in becoming a campus rep, please contact the Student Council at div38studentreps@gmail.com.

Our three Student Council Committees have been working hard on developing several projects. The Communications Committee (Valeria Martinez and Allison Carroll) recently conducted a student survey to better understand the best ways to reach students within the SfHP. They also published the fall issue of the Student Newsletter (sent via the SfHP Listerv and on the SfHP Facebook page), which includes details on the latest student news, events, and opportunities. The Student Newsletter also features a spotlight on the Diversity Committee (Matt Jasinski and Angela Gutierrez), has been working to bring more attention to the importance of diversity related topics within health psychology. The Membership Committee (Marissa Alert, Natasha DePesa, and Hannah Holmes) updated student materials with the new SfHP logo and has been working to ensure students in health psychology programs are aware of the great opportunities and resources SfHP has for students.

As the current Student Chair, my plan for this year is to increase the student presence within the SfHP by continuing to improve the Campus Representative Program and by giving students more opportunities to participate in SfHP related activities. I also hope to ease internship and training anxieties by providing resources for students thinking about applying to health psychology focused programs.

Lastly, I would like to thank Lisa Auster-Gussman, Past Chair, for her hard work and dedication to the Society this past year. Along the same lines, please welcome KayLoni Olson, the incoming Student Council Chair-Elect. She will take over as the Chair in August 2017.

Remember to stay connected to the SfHP, be sure to like us on Facebook (facebook.com/APADiv38), and follow us on Twitter (@APADivision38). As always, we welcome your ideas and suggestions. Please let us know your needs or ideas by emailing us at div38studentreps@gmail.com.